An online ad for shoes has led to the arrest of four men who have been charged with armed robbery and abduction, according to Fairfax County Police.

Marion Kenneth Allen, Jr., 22, Cye Adam Penn, 22, Bryant Robinson, 19, and Xavier Hall, 22, all of Prince George’s County, Md., were charged with robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and abduction.

According to police, while on patrol in the Little Run Shopping Center in the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike, a police officer noticed a car creeping along without its lights on.

Unknown to the officer, police said a robbery involving a gun, a 15-year-old boy, and his Nike sneakers was in progress.

The teen had placed an online ad to sell the high-priced athletic shoes, and had scheduled to meet a prospective buyer at the Annandale shopping center shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, police said.

When the teen showed up with the shoes, he was abducted by four men armed with a gun, police said.

The teen was a passenger in their vehicle when he signaled to the officer that he was being abducted against his will at gunpoint, police said.

“A patrolman saw the teen in the vehicle, gesturing to him,” said Fairfax County Police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.

Caldwell said that upon being notified of a weapon, the officer, along with backup, enacted a high-risk stop and all four men were taken into custody.

Buyers and sellers using online services to sell products should always proceed with caution, Caldwell said.

“Meet during daylight hours, never alone, and always in a public place. Transactions with strangers can be risky and all those involved need to take precautions to protect their safety when meeting,” Caldwell said.